CCU student plays on championship rugby team

Alex Nazon, a Coastal Carolina senior majoring in exercise and sport science, was selected out of 60 of the best collegiate rugby players in the nation to play on the National Men's Collegiate All-Star Team. The South team (Nazon's team) defeated Southern California 67-33, with final championship games held June 11 in Aurora, Colo.

Nazon, who is also president of the CCU Rugby Club, was a pivotal player in the hard-fought game. He plays the position of forward and prop. 

In May, Nazon traveled to Atlanta and tried out successfully for the USA Rugby South All-Star team. This team consists of the best of collegiate men's rugby players from schools in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi. Nazon was the only Division II player to make the team.

On June 7, the team traveled to Glendale, Colo., headquarters for USA Rugby, to compete in the USA Rugby Collegiate All Star National Championship tournament. Six territories from across the country compete for the title. The South team's first opponent was the Midwest Territory team. The South won by a score of 57-28.

The next game was against the Southern California Territory for the championship. Again, the South prevailed. Each member of the team received a gold medal.

Nazon has now played on two national champion teams while representing Coastal Carolina University. He has played on CCU's rugby team for the last four years, and he was a member of the 2009 undefeated Division III National Championship team.

Originally from Charleston, Nazon will graduate in December. He is attending summer school, working at the Afterdeck and playing with the Myrtle Beach Men's Rugby Club.